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New Orleans is famous for its music, its cuisine, and more recently as a victim of Hurricane Katrina. As of March 2011, tourism is reviving in New Orleans, and travel by Amtrak offers an economical, efficient and relaxing way to reach New Orleans from other parts of the U.S. and North America.

Items you will need

Photo identification

Funds

Step 1

Choose your route. Amtrak's major routes to New Orleans are the City of New Orleans service from Chicago, the Crescent from New York City, and the Sunset Limited from Los Angeles. The City of New Orleans travels south from Chicago, Illinois, through western Kentucky, Memphis, Tennessee, and Mississippi to Louisiana. The Crescent serves New York City, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama. From Los Angeles, the Sunset Limited traverses southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas before reaching New Orleans.

Step 2

Book your ticket. Amtrak tickets can be booked online, via telephone or in person at a station. To make an online booking, you will need a major credit card. Government-issued photo ID -- a passport or driving license, for example -- is needed when you pick up your tickets and when you travel. Sample one-way fares to New Orleans, as of March 2011, were $261 from Los Angeles, $112 from Chicago and $132 from New York City. Long-distance trains that operate overnight routes usually have the option of booking a reclining seat or a sleeper berth. Sleeper tickets are typically more expensive than seats.

Step 3

Check whether your baggage meets Amtrak's limitations and requirements. As of March 2011, Amtrak passengers are limited to a maximum of two carry-on bags, each weighing no more than 50 lbs. Each bag may not have dimensions in excess of 28 by 22 by 14 inches. Each passenger may also check up to three pieces of luggage without charge. The maximum weight for an individual checked bag is also 50 pounds.

Step 4

Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, if you are checking bags. Carry photo ID and the credit card used to book your tickets online. Limited food service is available on certain trains, so bring food or money for food purchase if you will be traveling during one or more mealtimes.

Tip

Request any special assistance you may need well in advance of your date of travel. Examples include physical assistance with boarding the train if your mobility is limited, and transport of large or bulky items such as bicycles or excess baggage.

You can find the station nearest your destination by entering the city name or ZIP code into the Amtrak Station Finder.